Different types of cancer all have their own symptoms.
General symptoms which could be a sign of cancer can include:
- a new lump or swelling anywhere on your body
- sweating a lot (particularly at night) or a high temperature that lasts a long time or keeps coming back
- feeling more tired than usual
- unusual bruising or bleeding (such as bleeding from your bottom, blood in your pee or vomiting blood)
- pain anywhere in your body that's not usual for you
- losing weight without trying or feeling less hungry than usual
- needing to pee more often or more urgently, or pain when you pee
Other symptoms of cancer may affect specific parts of the body.
Symptoms affecting your skin
Skin symptoms can include:
- a new mole, or changes to a mole anywhere on your body
- changes in your skin, such as a rash or sore that does not get better
- the whites of your eyes or your skin looking yellow (jaundice) – yellow skin may be harder to see on black or brown skin
Symptoms affecting your digestion
Digestion symptoms can include:
- heartburn or indigestion that's frequent, very painful or gets worse
- a swollen tummy (bloating) that happens often or lasts a long time
- changes in your poo, such as needing to poo more or less often than usual, diarrhoea or constipation that does not get better or gets worse
Symptoms affecting your mouth or throat
Mouth and throat symptoms can include:
- problems swallowing
- a hoarse or croaky voice that does not get better
- a sore or ulcer in your mouth that does not get better
- white or red patches in your mouth
Symptoms affecting your lungs and breathing
Lung and breathing symptoms can include:
- a cough that does not get better or gets worse
- shortness of breath that does not get better or gets worse
- coughing up blood
Symptoms affecting your genitals (vagina or penis)
Vagina or penis symptoms can include:
- vaginal discharge that's not usual for you
- unusual vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding between periods or after sex, or bleeding after the menopause
- difficulty getting an erection
- blood in your semen
See a GP if you have:
- symptoms of cancer
- any symptoms or changes that are not normal for you and you're worried could be cancer
If a GP thinks your symptoms could be a sign of cancer, you may get an urgent referral for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital.
Important
Most of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions.
Having these symptoms does not definitely mean you have cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP.
If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.
Anyone can get cancer and it's not always clear what causes it. But there are things that can increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer.
These can include:
- getting older
- other people in your family having certain cancers
- your lifestyle – such as smoking, being overweight, exposure to too much sun and drinking too much alcohol
- having certain viruses – such as human papillomavirus (HPV) or hepatitis
- having certain conditions – such as severe acid reflux or Lynch syndrome (a condition that runs in families)
- the environment where you work or live – such as exposure to asbestos or air pollution
You cannot always prevent cancer, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting some types of cancer.
Do
have cancer screening when you're invited – such as cervical screening, breast screening (mammogram) or bowel cancer screening
have the HPV vaccine or hepatitis B vaccine if you're offered them
speak to a GP about genetic testing for cancer risk genes if a type of cancer runs in your family, a relative has been told they have a faulty gene linked to cancer, or you have 1 or more Jewish grandparents
try to cut down on alcohol and avoid drinking more than 14 units a week
try to lose weight if you're overweight, or keep to a healthy weight
try to quit smoking
follow advice on sunscreen and sun safety, such as wearing sunscreen of at least 30 SPF and spending time in the shade, to protect your skin
be physically active – aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week
Find out more from NHS Better Health
NHS Better Health has free tools and support to help you lose weight, get active, quit smoking and drink less alcohol.
Visit the NHS Better Health website
There are more than 200 different types of cancer.
Cancer can affect any part of your body, including your organs, blood, bone marrow and immune system.
Sometimes cancer spreads from one place to another. This is called secondary cancer, or metastasis.
The treatment you'll have depends on the type of cancer.
The most common treatments for cancer include:
- surgery to remove the cancer
- chemotherapy, which uses medicines to kill cancer cells
- radiotherapy, which uses radiation to kill cancer cells
Treatment can also involve:
- immunotherapy, where medicines are used to help your immune system kill cancer
- hormone therapy to help stop or slow down the growth of cancer
You'll be looked after by a team of specialists who will work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you.
The NHS aims to diagnose and treat cancer as early as possible. NHS England has guidance on cancer waiting times for being diagnosed and starting treatment.
The guidance says:
- if you get an urgent referral to a specialist, cancer should be confirmed or ruled out within 28 days of the referral
- if you're diagnosed with cancer, treatment should start within 31 days of the diagnosis or within 62 days of an urgent referral
Support while you wait
Macmillan Cancer Support has a free helpline open every day from 8am to 8pm.
They're there to listen if you have anything you want to talk about.
More information
National cancer charities offering support and information about cancer, including the symptoms, types, causes and treatments:
